Communication skill is one of those few skills that will help you no matter what type of life you live, the career you have, the interests you possess, or how different you are in all senses. Good communication skills will only make it better for you. Who doesn’t want to convey their ideas, thoughts to people effortlessly? And not just that, but also having the ability to just seem more friendly, understanding, and trustworthy? Yes, good communication skills can actually do this for you. So, how do you improve the way you talk? Well, first of all, communication isn’t just about talking. It’s a two-way street and you have to drive carefully avoiding any accidents. Let’s see how we can do that.
1. Before you talk, listen
One of the major problems faced by many individuals is that they don’t know how to listen. They simply hear. Listening requires more patience and attentiveness. Listening makes the other person feel heard and understood (with the correct body language). Most often, you simply think of what you are going to reply, instead of paying attention to the speaker’s words. This not only is disrespectful but harmful to the relationship. Without complete attention, you also risk being half-informed and hence unable to give an appropriate response.
For instance, suppose you are talking to somebody about something that you are passionate about or truly invested, and they look lost or reply with absolute apathy. How would that make you feel?
- Ask and repeat
A conversation doesn’t have to be performance-oriented. Which means, do not treat it like a test. If you do not understand something that a person says, ask them to repeat or simply clear your doubt. They will, in fact, appreciate the effort and you will also find it easier to follow the conversation. In case of details like names, places, dates, repeat after the speaker so as to let them know you are being attentive and they have your complete attention. Be receptive.
- Learn to read
A person speaks much more non-verbally than they do with words. Their position of their hand, the direction of the body, eye contact, facial expressions, sitting position, pitch of their voice, how comfortable they seem, or how confidently they are talking; All of these can be your cues and you can turn the situation around if you learn to observe closely. Similarly, not only reading them while they talk but also when you talk is important. You will be able to infer if they are interested in what you have to say, if they want to know more or you should just stop right there.
- Don’t rush, take it slow
While talking, be easy and go with the flow rather than talking with utmost hurry. A neutral pace will allow the conversation to smoothly glide, allowing each of you to think, reciprocate and repeat. A fast-paced monologue can make it difficult to be understood, and more importantly come off as you trying to get rid of the encounter.
- Be genuine. Don’t pretend
This one’s probably the simplest yet most difficult for some. Nowadays, people almost never are themselves in the initial days of meeting someone or even during an interview or a meeting. However, they do not realize that pretending does not sustain. Developing genuine communication skills and maintaining honestly is absolutely important. Therefore, take your time. Be genuine in what you have to say. Truly try to be more empathetic and speak with a calm head. Share knowledge that you know but steer clear of boasting as it will get you nowhere.
- Saying the right things
This one can seem tricky because it is. You can never really know if what you are saying is right or wrong, mostly because of the subjectivity of it. However, you can increase the chances of saying appropriate words by practicing a few things. They are, reading newspapers, being updated about the latest happenings, reading classic literature, listening to podcasts, watching informative videos, watching documentaries, or classic movies. If you do not find any of these interesting, do not force yourself. The aim is to increase your knowledge in the field of your inclination. Naturally, your interest, good inputs from these resources, and exchange with like-minded people are bound to make you better at not only communication but also many other life skills.
Try to incorporate these simple tips and techniques into your communication skills and find your personal, professional, and virtual life (if applied sensibly) improve visibly. Remember, communication is more about listening than talking. Listen, to not only as others speak but when you speak to yourself. Being mindful and attentive is the deal.